The circumstances attending the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, of Little-street, Rushden, formed the subject of an inquiry by Mr. J. T. Parker, at the Compass Inn, Rushden, on Monday afternoon.

Mr. H. H. Hobbs was chosen foreman of the jury.

Alice Bailey, daughter of the deceased, identified the body as that of her mother, who was the widow of James Bailey, and was 60 years of age. Deceased had enjoyed good health up to last Saturday. At about 11.30 p.m., there was some loud talking in the yard at the back of their house, and witness and deceased went to witness’ sister’s (Mrs. Bettles’) house in the same yard. It appeared that there had been a squabble, and deceased told Bettles that if he wanted to kick up a row, he had better go. Bettles put on his coat and went out, and deceased shortly afterwards went home. A few minutes after getting home, deceased complained of a pain at her heart, and had some brandy and water, but she got worse, and witness fetched her sister, Mrs. Robinson, who lived next door, and sent for a doctor. Witness then went to fetch her brother, but on her return deceased was dead. Deceased had several times complained of her heart recently, and was short of breath, but had not been medically attended.

William Bettles, laster, Little-street, said he got home about 11.15 on Saturday night and there was a dispute between witness and William Robinson, another of deceased’s sons-in-law, who lived next door. Mrs. Bailey came into witness’ house at the finish of the disturbance, but did not see any blows struck or anything of the sort. Deceased got somewhat excited and witness left at her request for fear she should get more excited. He had seen her worse affected than she was on Saturday.

William Robinson, laster, said the previous witness came into his house and knocked him into the fireplace, but there was no disturbance in deceased’s presence. Witness was afterwards informed that deceased was taken ill and went to fetch Dr. Baker.

Dr. Baker said that deceased had a slight accident about two years ago, and he attended her then, but he had not attended her since. Just before midnight on Saturday he was sent for, and when he got to deceased’s house death had taken place a few minutes previously. There were no marks of violence on the body, and the appearances were consistent with death from failure of the heart.

The jury found that death resulted from natural causes.